Be Part of Building a New Republic

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD has said the government’s regressive water policy is a key part its austerity agenda.

He said the current Irish Water debacle showed that a lack of transparency and accountability is a hallmark of the Fine Gael/Labour government.

Mr Adams was speaking as the Sinn Féin Leinster House team met in Dublin to discuss the party’s political priorities ahead of the resumption of the Dáil tomorrow.

He said;

“Water charges and a wider, regressive policy on water services is central to Fine Gael and Labour’s austerity agenda.

"The current debacle surrounding Irish Water shows how this government has implemented a broad programme of stealth charges and cuts while actively obstructing transparency and accountability in public administration.

"A lack of debate around the establishment of Irish Water played a key role in creating this scandal. The government is responsible for that.

"Irish Water must be made compliant with the Freedom of Information Act and move speedily to ensure all relevant information about the establishment of the company is accessible and available to the public.

Deputy Adams continued:

“The ultimate aims of establishing Irish Water are to further burden hard-pressed families with charges for water and eventually privatise the supply of water in this state.

“This is unacceptable.

“In the coming months, Sinn Fein will campaign vigorously against the imposition of water charges. This regressive tax, coupled with the others already imposed by this government, are crippling households and families.

“In the north Sinn Féin has prevented the introduction of water charges and the privatisation of the water services and will continue to do so.”